Texas residents know hurricane season can bring devastating flooding, wind damage, and storm surge, particularly in communities along the Gulf Coast. Even inland areas can experience severe weather impacts when hurricanes and tropical storms move across the state. Being prepared before a storm arrives, including understanding your insurance coverage, documenting your property, and knowing what steps to take after a natural disaster, can make recovery easier for you and your family.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year. While NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 hurricane season, experts caution that it only takes one storm making landfall to cause catastrophic damage. Texas remains vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms throughout the season, making preparation just as important as ever.
After a hurricane, many property owners find themselves navigating complicated insurance claims while trying to rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives. Understanding the claims process and knowing what options may be available if an insurer delays, underpays, or wrongfully denies a claim can be an important part of hurricane preparedness.
2026 Texas Hurricane Season Forecast: What NOAA Predicts
NOAA is predicting 8 to 14 named storms during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. Of those, 3 to 6 are expected to become hurricanes, including 1 to 3 major hurricanes classified as Category 3 or higher. NOAA estimates there is a 55% chance of a below-normal season, a 35% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of an above-normal season.
While El Niño may reduce the overall number of Atlantic storms, it doesn’t eliminate the risk of a significant hurricane impacting Texas. History has shown that even below-normal hurricane seasons can produce destructive storms.
Texas Hurricane Emergency Kit Checklist and Planning Tips
There are several steps to take to protect your home or business from a hurricane in Texas. Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause power outages, block road access due to debris and flooding, temporarily close businesses such as grocery stores, force people to shelter in place or evacuate, and create other disruptions and dangers.
Gathering certain disaster supplies and making a “go-bag” before a Texas hurricane hits is important. Ideally, you should have a safety kit ready before hurricane season. Stores will be low on many items once communities know a storm is coming, so you should avoid waiting until the last minute to put one together.
Your hurricane safety kit should include these items:
- First aid items
- At least one gallon of water per person per day for three days
- Flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries
- Non-perishable foods (enough for three days), can opener
- Hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes
- Cell phone charger, power bank
- Garbage bags
- Scissors, duct tape, tarps, or plastic sheeting
- Whistle
- Candles and matches or lighter (kept in a sealed bag)
- Utensils, cups, plates
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
If you have a baby, add items like diapers, formula, and bottles. The same goes for pets; keep a supply of pet food and any other items needed to care for them.
Also, keep copies of important documents and identification, such as maps, evacuation plan, emergency contact numbers, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and insurance policies, in a sealed plastic folder or bag. Having an electronic copy of everything adds another layer of protection.
How to Protect Your Home Before a Texas Hurricane
When a storm approaches Texas, homeowners must prepare their property to minimize the damage it can cause. Store loose items like outdoor furniture, BBQs, and planters, and park any vehicles you own in your garage. Trim trees and branches that are close to your home or any other structures.
Have your roof checked for loose shingles or any areas that may cause leaks. If an approaching hurricane is expected to cause serious damage in your area, it’s a good idea to board up your windows or close storm shutters if you have them.
Hurricane preparedness helps mitigate damage to your home and possessions and decreases the risk of losses. Some insurers even require policyholders to take steps to prevent or minimize certain types of damage. Take photos and videos of your property and possessions, and make a list of valuables to help with the hurricane insurance claims process.
What to Do After a Hurricane in Texas
Knowing what to do after a hurricane in Texas is another way to be prepared. Your immediate priority is the health and safety of those in your home. If someone is injured, seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Make sure to stay out of flooded areas and away from downed power lines and other dangers. Listen to the radio or access the internet (if possible) for directives from emergency services.
If you evacuated, do not return home until you’re told to. Damaged properties are filled with dangers, including risks of walls or roofs collapsing. If you remain at home and are not in immediate danger, take pictures and videos of all property damage and lost or ruined possessions. This will be compared to what was taken and noted before the storm for your hurricane insurance claim. Don't discard anything before reporting the claim. An adjuster may need to evaluate the damaged items.
You also need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after a storm. The claims process takes time, and they need to know if there was damage to your property or valuables. They’ll send an adjuster to evaluate your property, but if the hurricane affects a large area, an adjuster may not get to you immediately.
Just like insurers expect policyholders to take certain steps before a storm, there are ways to mitigate property damage to avoid further damage. If it’s not raining, open windows to ventilate your home and speed up the drying process. Board up broken windows and put a tarp over leaks in your roof to prevent further water damage, as long as it’s safe. Many insurance policies don’t cover losses that could have been prevented if you had properly mitigated your property after the storm.
Keep receipts of any materials or professional services you require to mitigate damage. However, do not start making permanent repairs until you’ve contacted your insurance company and they’ve given the go-ahead to do so.
Understanding Hurricane and Flood Insurance in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, many Texas communities face significant flood risks, including several of the state's largest metropolitan areas. Without adequate insurance, including flood insurance, Texas homeowners and business owners could be left paying out of pocket for hurricane damage. This can be financially crippling and cause you and your family to struggle for years.
One of the best ways to prepare for a hurricane in Texas is to review your insurance policy. Knowing what your insurance carrier is obligated to cover – and what you’re obligated to do as the property owner – will greatly help the claims process and protect you from being taken advantage of by your insurance company.
Having flood insurance is also important given the risk of hurricane-driven flooding in Texas. Flood insurance must be purchased in addition to your regular policy. Depending on where you live, windstorm coverage may be required or simply a good idea as an added layer of protection.
Purchasing the right level of property and flood insurance is best done before hurricane season begins, though coverage can often be added later. Just know there’s usually a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance to take effect, so don’t wait until a storm is coming to add it to your policy.
How a Texas Hurricane Damage Attorney Can Help
The aftermath of a Texas hurricane and the emotional impact of losing valuables or returning to a severely damaged home can be overwhelming. A Texas hurricane damage attorney can alleviate some of the stress and protect your rights as a policyholder. Having the right evidence and properly filing an insurance claim is vital to ensure you get the coverage you’re entitled to.
In the case of a denied hurricane claim, your next step is to take legal action to recover what’s owed. Sadly, insurance companies often pay policyholders less than they’re legally owed under their contracts. Other times, they delay payment, leaving families in tough financial situations they should never be in. An attorney can help individuals in these situations.
If you’ve been affected by a Texas hurricane or other extreme weather event, The Cochran Firm Texas can help. We have years of experience dealing with insurers and fighting for the coverage our clients have paid for. If you’re having trouble with your insurer or if a claim has been denied, call 800-843-3476 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
